Cardiology

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) occurs when a fatty substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. Your cardiac muscle receives oxygenated blood from these arteries.

Heart (cardiac) and chest (thoracic) surgeons diagnose and surgically treat the heart, lung and chest conditions. Cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgeons provide personalized care, working within a holistic, multidisciplinary healthcare team, together with specialists in cardiovascular medicine, gastroenterology and hepatology, hematology, oncology, pulmonary medicine, intensive care medicine, vascular medicine, endovascular surgery, anesthesiology, pathology, radiology, pediatrics and physical therapy.

Plaques that cause coronary artery narrowing often affect a small portion of the artery. The diameter of the vein beyond the narrowing zone is normal. If there is a problem limited to one or two veins, balloon angioplasty (PTCA), which is a non-surgical method, can open the narrowing. Cardiologists perform this treatment using angiographic X-ray equipment. When the balloon is not sufficient, drug-eluting stents are placed, and blood flow is re-optimized.

There are four valves in the heart that ensure the correct flow of blood. Some of these include the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve, and aortic valve. The flaps or cusps on each valve open and close in turn during a heartbeat. Valves can malfunction from time to time, preventing blood from flowing freely from your heart to the rest of your body.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often fast heartbeat and can increase your risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. During atrial fibrillation, two upper chambers of your heart, known as the atria, beat irregularly and chaotically. Common symptoms of atrial fibrillation include heart palpitations, shortness of breath and weakness.